10 WAITAKI HERALD, JULY 16, 2014 DAN’S SPORTSRANT By DANIEL BIRCHFIELD daniel.birchfield@waitakiherald.co.nz Black Caps list has depths L ooking at the list of New Zealand Cricket’s 20 contracted players for the next year, you’d have to say it’s a pretty strong line-up. The group selected is Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Mark Craig, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Mitchell McClenaghan, Brendon McCullum, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Jimmy Neesham, Luke Ronchi, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling and Kane Williamson. There are six new contracted players in Craig, Milne, Henry, Sodhi, Neesham and Ronchi, while Peter Fulton, Hamish Rutherford, Bruce Martin, Dean Brownlie, Grant Elliott and Doug Bracewell have dropped off. I wasn’t surprised to see Fulton get cut after his form struggles, but I thought coach Mike Hesson may have persisted with Rutherford, given his youth and ability. It opens the door for Guptill to return to the top of the order in test cricket, which seems to me to be a bit of a gamble, given his poor record as an opener. Martin, Brownlie and Elliott haven’t been used at international level for quite some time so it’s only natural they’re gone, while Bracewell is obviously still in the dog box after his off-field troubles. Daniel Vettori hasn’t been contracted, but still appears to be in the mix for next year’s World Cup. The list has a pretty look about it, all things considered, especially in the bowling department. Craig and Sodhi performed admirably on the recent West Indies tour, and Henry bowled superbly on his one-day international debut against India last season, taking 4-38. Milne offers a raw-pace option and his control looked to be getting better with every game before he was sidelined with injury. As far as the all-rounder stock are con- cerned, Anderson and Neesham are world class. Last season was a breakout one for both, especially the latter. You can’t say there’s anyone really lucky to be there, but if I had to name anyone I would have to say it would be Guptill. His selection is understandable though, given Jesse Ryder not being considered because of issues off the field. What the list shows is that for what seems like the first time in a long time there’s a core group of very strong players that can be backed up by guys equally as good. Just because a player isn’t on the list doesn’t spell the end of an international career. The country’s domestic opening batsmen should be especially optimistic, with one spot seemingly up for grabs. I’d say Otago opener Michael Bracewell has the inside running after being picked alongside Latham for the New Zealand A side tour to England later this month. It will also be interesting to see how Brownlie goes when he opens for Northern Districts this summer. As I’ve said before, after three test series wins in succession, it’s starting to look like a golden era for New Zealand cricket. Rising star: All-rounder Jimmy Neesham has been a revelation for the Black Caps over the past 12 months and deserves his place on the list of 20 contracted players. Sales - Service Sales - Service North Otago North Otago’’s Authorised Dealer Authorised Dealer We service allmakes andmodels service all makes and models Husqvarna now in Oamaru PIVOTAL IRRIGATION 6163858AF Main North Road, 5 Industrial Place, Oamaru Email: oamaru@pivotalirrigation.co.nz Phone 03 433 1039 Local Authorised Dealer Sales - Service - Parts PIVOTAL PIVOTAL PIVOTAL PIVOTAL PIVOTAL